Comments on: Dolphins making change to 4-3 defense

By: fordraptorforum

fordraptorforum — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:06:21 +0000

Cam Wake with his hand in the dirt on every play is gonna be awesome. His ability to get low and the angles he takes when he’s low and closing on a QB are his best asset.

As a Phins fan -who fully expects our D to run multiple fronts despite this news, it’s the modern defensive way- I really look forward to seeing the best player on our defense utilized more often in the front that maximizes his potential.

By: mackie66

mackie66 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:42:31 +0000

Ink drying is not the problem, its breaking up something that works. If it aint broke dont fix it. But Ireland has to act like a GM, and why is changing the defense in Irelands privy. Thought the head coach had something to do with,,,oh never mind its the Dolphins why say more.

By: ruggerlad

ruggerlad — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:12:01 +0000

beeronthefridge says:
Jan 26, 2012 1:02 PM
You only play a 3-4 when you lack talent in the defensive line to play a 4-3.

————————————————-

You have no idea what you are talking about.

By: ruggerlad

ruggerlad — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:55:35 +0000

With Langford and Odrick on the left side at 6-6 and 6-5 they are both tall, powerful and athletic. They will crush the pocket and take up passing lanes with Starks and Wake applying pressure from the blindside. I would like to see a CB drafted early and Sean Smith moved to safety. This would upgrade 2 positions in the secondary. Smith would be better with everything in front of him and would be better in man coverage vs a TE than a small WR.
Reshad Jones is more of a SS imo.

By: ruggerlad

ruggerlad — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:51:38 +0000

The 3-4 is better vs the run and the 4-3 is better vs the pass. With recent rule changes trying to boost the passing game and the score the 4-3 will once again be the much more common D-front.
Miami can make this transition without drafting early or adding a starter if they resign Kendall Langford.
LDE Jared Odrick – big athletic pass rusher in the mold of a Reggie White.
DT Kendall Langford – a great combo of size strength and athleticism; he is stout vs the run and will be quicker than most Guards out of their stance
DT Randy Starks has played DT before is not as good as Kendall vs the run but offers a bit more of a pass rush.
RDE Cameron Wake – need I say anything
SamLB Karlos Dansby – can do everything asked in coverage run support or as a pass rusher MikeLB Koa Misi – think Jeramiah Trotter a one dimensional run stopper
WillLB Kevin Burnett – athletic LB who is better in coverage
Langford can be resigned now as a DT who cost less than DE’s. Solai can go get overpaid esewhere.

By: dolphins1121

dolphins1121 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:47:13 +0000

A: “dcfan4life”, you are a moron. Joe Philbin is our head coach. Some “fan” you are.

B: This team has traditionally had a 4-3 defense. Remember those dominating years with Thomas and Taylor? Everybody is so quick to drink the hatorade with this team. I get so tired of the negative articles on this site, followed by the ignorant, negative articles posted by supposed fans. Have some faith people. This team will be very good this year. I have no doubt we will get to watch at least one playoff game this year.

By: beeronthefridge

beeronthefridge — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:02:32 +0000

You only play a 3-4 when you lack talent in the defensive line to play a 4-3.

By: cornersss

cornersss — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:33:12 +0000

“It is the apparent decision from Ireland back before the season was over, without a new HC”

I guess, sort of. But had he not been prepared by scoting 4-3 players if we switched, and drafted bad whos to blame then?

By: cornersss

cornersss — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:30:03 +0000

i dont get why people want to let solia walk as if he wasn’t worth anything just because were changing.

Franchise and trade the guy.He wouldn’t have much of a choice and we could have more ammo

By: cornersss

cornersss — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:42:52 +0000

“Can you imagine as your front 4:

Mario Williams
Jared Odrick
Randy Starks
Cam Wake

That would be a top 3 line”

Dont need to change anything and we still had a top line. Most of our front 7 could start on any team in the nfl

By: FinFan68

FinFan68 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:39:50 +0000

It’s not the switch that has some fans upset because a situational hybrid was being used anyway. It is the apparent decision from Ireland back before the season was over, without a new HC (who would want to hire a new staff), etc. It just seems a little shady coming from a guy with a history of being disingenuous with his players/coaches. If true maybe that is why Nolan decided to bail. Say what you want but his defense was top 10 for two years, had a up/down 1st half of the season (as did the rest of the team) and then came on strong at the end of the season.

I think it would have been smarter to discuss the team’s philosophy/vision, hire the new coach, let him organize a cohesive staff, evaluate the players they have and then make necessary adjustments via draft/free agency. I realize that this site is trying to further the impression of the Dolphins management being inept, but in this case, they may have a point. There are issues with this team that needed to be addressed and messing with the most stable element on the team is bound to cause some concern.

By: dolphincritic

dolphincritic — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:35:47 +0000

I forgot to mention, expect to see a multiple formation defense. 3-4 on first down with a 4-3 base defense. Special defenses for short yardage and long yardage situations. There is no pure defensive sets anymore!

By: dolphincritic

dolphincritic — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:29:26 +0000

I think that you are wrong, Gregg. The Dolphins have a surplus at DE & very good DT’S. Wake is a versatile OLB. The weakness is at left OLB. Burnett shifts over and the front is fine.

The other weakness is secondary. Draft DB’s and cut deadwood. Let’s wait and see who falls to the 9th pick in the draft.

By: freedomispopular

freedomispopular — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:17:37 +0000

As if the Texans are just gonna let their best defensive player just leave…

By: canucktr

canucktr — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:56:38 +0000

I see we’re devoid of Fin Fans here (for the most part) so allow me to educate you beyond what tcclark and dutchmaster valiantly have.

- Odrick played 3 technique (think Warren Sapp) at Penn State and was a beast.
- Starks played DT at Tenn before coming over as a FA.
- Soliai is not worth what someone is going to pay him as a NG. Sorry, he’s not. And he’s got zip as a pass rusher.
- Misi played MLB early in his Utah days and has shown precious little as an edge rusher from the OLB spot. He’ll be no worse than a back up MLB.
- We played a TON of 4-3 in pass rush situations last year.
- Our personel is flush on DL and thin at LB right now. And that includes UFA’s Langford and Soliai.

It’s no big whoop. Calm down haters.

By: silverhornet

silverhornet — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:52:50 +0000

Soliai is expendable because he’s a two down football player and wants top 5 DT money. The switch to a 43 is rather overblown. Dolphins played roughly 45% of their D snaps in a four man front last year. This switch is not as big of a deal as it used to be. Most defenses play multiple fronts these days.

Can we go back to speculating about Peyton Manning?

By: mwcarolina

mwcarolina — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:45:51 +0000

Can you imagine as your front 4:

Mario Williams
Jared Odrick
Randy Starks
Cam Wake
—————————————————–
Imagine it, but i dont see it unless you offer up a good deal for Mario Williams. this isnt the NBA, Williams isnt going to be let go for free, he will either be re-signed of franchised, i doubt the Texans want a great pass rusher to go free.

By: dutchmaster91

dutchmaster91 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:14:37 +0000

Soliai becomes expendable in the switch which frees up money to sign a big FA and extend Cameron Wake. I like it. Also, if the Dolphins can get pressure with the front four and allow seven to drop back into coverage, that would be huge against teams like the Patriots.

By: tatum064

tatum064 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:11:48 +0000

Ireland’s an idiot as usual. Only upside is they wont have to pony up another 12.5 ml for Paul Soliai, and he’ll be sought after as a key NT at a position where a run stuffer is a premium.

good luck with that, Philbin. Send an S.O.S. for Matt Flynn like, yesterday…

By: emoney826

emoney826 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:55:06 +0000

Trade your good 3-4 players to green bay. Hook us up, Joe!

By: lionsfanatic84

lionsfanatic84 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:49:32 +0000

I’m sorry dolphins fans, I really am. If you don’t get a solid qb this year, you are screwed

By: piratefreedom

piratefreedom — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:46:43 +0000

The best way to improve the Dolphin offensive numbers is to gut the defense.

With all the soft prevent defenses in the 2nd half when games are far out of reach the ‘fins will be able to put up better numbers on offense.

By: 69finfan

69finfan — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:42:30 +0000

Guys! The ink isn’t even dry and many of you have already doomed the Fins this year. Let this “Transition” to a 4-3 play out. It might be a complete bust but it might work. We don’t know yet and won’t for a while. I know most of you won’t admit it or can’t admit it but people with way more football smarts than any of you have made this decision because it is felt it will make them a better football team. If this were not true then you would be making the decision and the people actually making the decision would be posting comments and bashing you. You same people that are bashing them now will be telling all the world how great a decision it was when and if it pans out. Just like the coach in “One on One”. Go Fins “Unconditionaly”.

By: stergersburgernips

stergersburgernips — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:41:48 +0000

Everyone says it is a copycat league but some franchises don’t seem to get it:

Moulding your defensive scheme around the personnel that you have is generally more successful that the other way round.

By: tcclark

tcclark — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:39:57 +0000

I actually love this move. All we will need is a middle linebacker and a defensive end and this defense will be really good. If we can sign a guy like Mario Williams and draft Luke Kuechly out of BC this defense will be even better than it was under Nolan.

Wake-Starks-Odrick-Williams
Burnett-Kuechly-Dansby

That’s one hell of a front seven

By: tcclark

tcclark — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:38:58 +0000

Wake-Starks-Odrick-Williams
Burnett-Kuechly-Dansby

That’s one hell of a front seven

By: pftcensorssuck

pftcensorssuck — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:30:23 +0000

Yeah, that ought to fix their quarterback problem, huh?

By: nflgreedleague

nflgreedleague — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:24:51 +0000

It makes perfect sense! Have they drafted anyone yet? NO. Do they know what defense they will be running yet? NO. So they are evaluating talent for both scemes and when they land the defense type they will have evaluated talent for that type. Have you got it figured out yet. Dense!

By: fin1fan

fin1fan — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:24:33 +0000

The 4-3 will be more stout against the run and will get more QB pressures which will help the weak secondary play….

By: porkcrisp

porkcrisp — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:15:58 +0000

They played there pass defense out of the 4-3 last year. Not a big deal. It mostly means that they are not going to keep Soliai.